Week 16 Discussion

Paintings with Multiple Subjects

Many Japanese paintings incorporate multiple subjects. One major class of these is kachō-ga (pictures of birds and flowers). In spite of the name, kachō-ga subjects aren't limited to birds and flowers. Plants and creatures may be a more apt name because some sort of plant, flowering or not, is nearly always used, and animal subjects include birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects, etc. The example below is by the shin-hanga master, Ohara Koson (1877 – 1945). It was painted in the 1930-35 time frame.

The special combination of pine, bamboo, and plum first appeared in a 9th century Chinese poem. Their association with winter is because they don't wither in frigid winter temperatures like most plants do. They became popular Chinese painting subjects. The painting below was produced by a 13th century Song dynasty Chinese artist, Zhao Mengjian (1199 - d. circa 1264).

The Japanese picked up the concept and created the names saikansanyūzu (literally "three friends in winter" based on the Chinese meaning) and shōchikubai (literally pine (shō), bamboo (chiku), and plum (bai)), for the combination. Shōchikubai is probably the most used term. In Japan, it developed Shintō religious significance, with pine, bamboo, and plum respectively representing longevity, flexibility, and the anticipation of spring. At some point, it became associated with the Lunar New Year, and later the modern New Year when Japan adopted the Western calendar in 1873.

Japanese artists have produced their own shōchikuba paintings and prints. This print was produced by Yabu Chōsui (1814-1867) in the 1858-62 timeframe.

The shōchikubai combination shows up in a number of places. This Sambaso dancer print, made by Toyohara Kunichika (1835 – 1 July 1900) in the 1880s, is dressed in a costume that incorporates shōchikubai elements. The Sambaso dance is a purification ritual performed in kabuki and nō theatrical performances.

Shōchikubai can show up in embroidery.

Family-style crests comprised of shōchikubai elements have been designed. I don't know if this one is actually in use.

Kadomatsu

It was long a tradition in China to place certain objects about one's home around New Year to expel evil spirits and attract friendly ones. It is believed that the practice was imported into Japan in the 8th century. Around the 14th century, a combination of bamboo and pine or sometimes plum tree wood was used. Today, it is sometimes all three with the plum being represented with blossom or bud laden branches; i.e., shōchikubai. These objects are called kadomatsu. 

he component elements are bound together with freshly made rice straw rope called shimenawa. Another element that is sometimes incorporated in the design is shide, paper folded into a zig zag pattern. The combination of shimenawa and shide is often seen at the entrances to Shintō shrines to ward off evil. This pair is incorporated into this kadomatsu.

Common practice is to bracket entrance ways with a pair of kadomatsu from after Christmas until January 7. These kadomatsu are in Portland, Oregon's Japanese Garden.

New Year is often a fun time which includes several special foods and treats. One example is this sweet rice cake (mochi) themed after kadomatsu.